Abdel Rizeq was born in 1953 in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, although his family is originally from Zarnuqa (now Rehovot in Israel). He holds a BA in Israeli studies from al-Quds University. He was imprisoned by Israel for 21 years for his political activism and wrote two poetry collections and a novel while in prison. He was released in 1994. Upon his release he became a member of the higher committee of Fateh in Gaza. He was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 1996 to represent the Jabaliya district.